Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Ring of truth: One could be forgiven for thinking these photos are not real but blowing bubbles is a skill that appears to be learned by some beluga whales

It's one thing for a whale to be talented enough to blow circular bubbles underwater, but this looks a touch like showing off.

This white whale has the confidence to wave to the camera as she is doing it.

These amazing photograph of her underwater antics were taken at Kamogawa Sea World in Kamogawa, east of Tokyo, in Japan, on Christmas Day.

Bye bye, bubble: This image, taken at at Kamogawa Sea World near Tokyo, appears to show a beluga waving off another circular bubble

White whales, also known as beluga whales, inhabit the Arctic Ocean and are known to be highly intelligent, with the ability to chatter among themselves.

They also emit ultrasound waves, which help them navigate vast waters and locate each other.

The bubble blowing is a skill that appears to be learned by some belugas, and this is not the first time one has been snapped in the act.

A 10-year-old beluga who perfected the technique over a period of last three years has been an attraction at the Shimane aquarium in Japan.

She uses her mouth to blow the water to make a current, then her blow hole to break the current into a ring shape.

Her antics have been captured on camera by photographer Hiroya Minakuchi.

Blowing bubbles: This beluga whale was captured creating a halo effect by photographer Hiroya Minakuchi at the Shimane aquarium in Japan

The 58-year-old, from Osaka, is the only person outside the aquarium who is allowed to dive with the belugas.

He said: 'This beluga started making bubble rings when she was seven. And a couple of years ago she developed her technique.

'Now she blows the water from her mouth to make a current, which is not visible for us underwater. She then blows air from her blow hole into the current and that makes a ring shape.

'I believe it is just a lot of fun for her. Since she developed this new game she often performs it for visitors.' He added: 'I am the only person outside of the aquarium who can dive with the belugas so this kind of photograph is very rare.'